Telepeer

UCLA football’s first-team offense begins to take shape

April 15, 2023

LOS ANGELES — UCLA’s first-team offense has started to take shape after the first two weeks of spring practice following the departure of several impact players from last season.

Coach Chip Kelly’s offense produced seven NFL draft prospects, leaving a number of positions open to competition this season.

Redshirt junior quarterback Ethan Garbers, who spent the past two seasons as Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s primary backup, has consistently taken first-team reps throughout the first two weeks of spring practice.

“I think since winter workouts we’re moving in the right direction,” Garbers said. “Things have been moving really well.”

Freshman Dante Moore and sophomore Justyn Martin have taken second-team reps behind Garbers.

Despite the departures of receivers Jake Bobo and Kazmeir Allen, the quarterbacks are working with a stacked receiving room that features Cal transfer J. Michael Sturdivant and USC transfer Kyle Ford.

“Ever since they got here, we were throwing twice a week (in the winter) to get that chemistry up,” Garbers said. “We have a really explosive room this year and they’re going to make a lot of plays. It’s going to be fun to watch.”

Kam Brown, Logan Loya and Titus Mokiao-Atimalala are among the returning receivers.

“We have guys that want to play,” Mokiao-Atimalala said. “It’s a really big competition in that receiver room. We are all pushing each other.”

Sturdivant has joined Brown and Loya on the first-team unit, with Hudson Habermehl lining up at tight end.

Kelly boosted the Bruins’ depth at running back to help make up for the loss of Zach Charbonnet, who is expected to be a second- or third-round selection in the NFL draft later this month.

UCLA added Ball State transfer Carson Steele, who ran for 1,772 yards and 15 touchdowns last season, in the backfield. Sophomore T.J. Harden is poised for more carries, after rushing for 325 yards and two touchdowns in six games in a reserve role last year.

“It made me more confident as a player,” Harden said about last season. “I was prepared for those moments and I’ve learned from those games on what I could do better.”

The offensive line has been one of the Bruins’ strongest position groups in each of the past two seasons because of its experience and depth.

Center Duke Clemens and right tackle Garrett DiGiorgio are the only starting returners, with veterans like Sam Marrazzo, Jon Gaines II and Atonio Mafi moving on from the program.

“Those are some good guards to have to replace, but the guards we have now are stepping up and getting better,” Clemens said. “I think by the time we’re really supposed to start this thing we should be jelling pretty well.”

Redshirt senior Josh Carlin is working as a right guard and Benjamin Roy Jr. is at left guard. Roy was the backup center last year and could prove to be a valuable option at multiple positions on the line if he doesn’t earn a starting role.

Spencer Holstege played in 32 games before transferring from Purdue and could compete for the starting left guard spot. He’s been sidelined with an undisclosed injury. Redshirt junior Bruno Fina is working as the starting left tackle.

FAMOUS FACES

Former UCLA quarterbacks Gary Beban and Troy Aikman were among the visitors at Saturday’s practice.

College Sports |

UCLA’s defensive line unit expected to provide stability

College Sports |

UCLA is building a deep, diversified running back room

College Sports |

UCLA quarterbacks find value in ‘friendly competition’

College Sports |

UCLA QB Dante Moore on Chip Kelly, recruitment and college experience

College Sports |

Hotline mailbag: Media rights and expansion timelines, linear calculation, SDSU’s wait, survival odds

Beban won the Heisman Trophy in 1967, becoming the only Bruin to earn the award, before he was drafted by the Rams in the second round of the 1968 draft.

Aikman spent three seasons at UCLA and finished third in the Heisman voting in 1988. He was the first overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 1989 and went on to win three Super Bowls.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf was also on the sidelines watching the team practice.

Orange County Register

News Details

UCLA football’s first-team offense begins to take shape

FAMOUS FACES

Related Articles

News

CONTACT INFO

QUICK LINKS

SERVICES

CURRENT NEWS